Roman Catholic Bishop
Roman Catholic bishops have no claim to territorial titles or to the use of the salutations 'Your Grace' or 'My Lord', and such modes of address are not permitted in official documents. However, unofficially and within the Roman Catholic community, these styles are in common usage.
The recommendations below reflect the official modes of address. In conversation the term 'Your Grace' is frequently used.
How to Address a Roman Catholic Bishop
The recommended (social) style of address is as follows:
Beginning of letter Dear Bishop
End of letter Yours sincerely or Yours respectfully
Envelope The Rt Rev James Smith, Bishop of Bramber (but note that Roman Catholic Bishops in Ireland is styled Most Rev rather than Rt Rev, and the abbreviation 'Dr' is included on the envelope before the name, e.g. The Most Rev Dr John Smith, Bishop of Kildare)
Verbal communication Bishop
Invitation The Bishop of Bramber
Description in conversation The Bishop
List of Directors or Patrons The Rt/Most Rev the Bishop of Blank
